- Service
A Memorial Service
Saturday, March 8, 2014
11:00 am
Meyer Funeral Home, Lebanon, IL
- Full Obituary
Jim Oppitz passed away on Thursday, February 20, 2014. He was born August 5, 1922 in Birmingham, Jefferson County, Alabama.
He was the son of Louis K. and Nell Griswold Oppitz, both deceased, both of whom were professors at McKendree College.
Jim received his high school diploma from Lebanon Community High School in 1940 in Lebanon, IL. Jim received his college degree from McKendree College of Lebanon, IL, where he met the love of his life, Elizabeth (Crisp) Oppitz, deceased, who he married on September 10, 1949. He received his Master’s degree from Washington University, St. Louis, MO.
His matriculation at McKendree was interrupted with his service in WWII as a member of the United States Army. Upon his honorable discharge, he returned to McKendree College and completed his undergraduate degree. Jim obtained his Masters of Arts degree from Washington University in St. Louis, MO.
Jim was a professor at several schools that included McKendree College, Lebanon, IL, Washington University, St. Louis, MO, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ and Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, KY.
He and Elizabeth came to WKU in 1965, where he taught accounting, finance and business for many years. Jim had a remarkable ability in Economics. He wrote “Retail Management” a textbook that was published in 1974. During his time at WKU he held a number of positions in administration including Assistant Dean of the Gordon Ford College of Business. He retired from WKU on June 30, 1992.
Jim was a founding member of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Bowling Green, where he served as President of the Congregation in the late 1960’s and thereafter served as Secretary for many years. He began the Church News Letter and was its publisher for many years. He was also the Historian for the Church.
Jim was proceeded in death by John Andrew Oppitz (brother), Louis Harold Oppitz (brother), Dorothea Oppitz French (sister), Helen Louise Oppitz (sister), Betty Jane French Sudholt (niece) and Joan Marie French Westwood (niece). He is survived by nieces Dale A. French and Ruth E. French Clewis and a number of other extended members of his family.
Rather than flowers, donations in his memory to either McKendree University in Lebanon, IL, to the Unitarian Universalist Church in Bowling Green or to the Gordon Ford College of Business, Western Kentucky University are requested.
A Memorial Service will be held at the Meyer Funeral Home, Lebanon, IL, at 11:00 am, on Saturday, March 8, 2014.
Interment: College Hill Cemetery, Lebanon, IL
Meyer Funeral Home, Lebanon, IL
